Ruthless love | Austin Butler

chapter 2 | declaration of dedication

When I arrived home I immediately got into bed, but I just couldn't stop thinking about what happened today. I was so glad that I finally met someone that knew my dad and what he was truly like, it made me happy, it really did, but it felt like I hadn't learned much about what happened to him. I didn't get anything that was going on and it felt like I just stepped into another world that I didn't fully know if I wanted to be a part of yet.

However, I was certain that I wouldn't back down. I'd travel back to the bar or find something, anything, that will provide me with enough information to start the investigation somewhere. I tossed and turned for a few hours still thinking about everything until finally sleeping.

When I woke up I felt tired and drained but I reluctantly got out of bed and went downstairs to grab a coffee. To me this was the best way to start the day, purely because if I went without it I'd probably beat up the first person I'd meet. While waiting for my coffee beans to soak up the boiling water in my cup, I slightly glanced out my window. I didn't think much of it since I'd do this everyday but i noticed something in the corner of my eye and immediately snapped my head back.

Never in a million years would I have guessed that the blondie with the bike would make an appearance outside my front door.

I instantly walk outside, slamming the door open. "What the fuck are you doing at my house! It's one thing now to steal my car keys but it's ten times fucking worse following a woman home!" I yelled at him. He was parked with his bike across the street from my front garden acting all smug.

"Well good morning to you too."

"Oh shut up." I say rolling my eyes annoyed. "Fucking leave!"

He raked his hand through his hair before saying "I would take it into consideration but I've got bigger priorities."

"Do I have to ask you twice to get off my property or are you just that mentally challenged?"

"I prefer the term mentally strong. Using the word challenged makes me sound like I'm stupid, which I'm not, and you could find that fact out if you would give this brave man a chance." He says with a smirk forming at his lips.

I looked at him with the most appalled and irritated look I could muster. I couldn't even believe that he thought this was going to get him what he wanted. I haven't even had a proper conversation with the guy and he's out here following me home.

"You're a freak!" I say.

He sighs before saying "I know I may be eccentric but that's no way to talk to your fellow partner"

"You genuinely think I'd let you help me after all you've done?"

"God, you make it sound like I'm a villain. I've only tried to show you my qualities so that you know how well I'd be able to help"

"You literally stole my car keys?" I say confused

"It happens to the best of us" he shrugged.

"You followed me home?"

"A bad habit I'm trying to fix"

"You stayed the night, in front of my house, and now you wont even leave"

"A declaration of my dedication" he says proudly.

I look at him disgusted. "I'd never partner up with you"

"Really? I'd say there's a part of you that was impressed" He said while his brows furrowed, as if not fully believing that.

I scoffed. "You wish"

I stared at him without uttering a word hoping that he'd take that as his invitation to leave but he wasn't even phased. His hair was ruffled from him raking his hand through it and his eyes were staring into mine as if challenging my take on things. His demeanour hadn't changed and that infuriated me.

I immediately turned around, walked back into my house and slammed the door shut. I locked it and made my way into the kitchen to still see him out there. I opened my window just enough for him to hear me say "I'm gonna call the police if you don't get out!"

However, he didn't budge.

I picked up my phone, making sure he saw that I had it, and pointed to it before I started dialling. As soon as I began, I heard the engine of the motorbike rumble and I saw him leave. I let out a sigh of relief and checked to see if my coffee was still warm, but unfortunately by this time it had cooled down quite a bit. Annoyingly I sipped it and tried to forget about the encounter I just had.

As much as I hated it I ended up thinking about the situation often. Not because I wanted to partner up with him, god no, I just didn't know what to do next. I clearly couldn't go back to Johnny and try to get him and his gang to tell me anything because they'd give me a big talk on why I should go after them, however I still wanted to do something. So my next best thing was to search through my dad's stuff again.

I went through his yearbooks from every year and double checked his photo albums to see if Johnny was there, by himself or with people, but I couldn't find him. I thought that if dad was worried that someone was after him then he'd probably write something down about it. So I double checked the phone book and his journal to see if there was anything amiss. However, I reluctantly found nothing. I then checked his calendar and every crevice of every single thing I could possibly find. I even checked his sticky notes that he never used in hopes of something. I couldn't leave anything unchecked but unfortunately everything led to a dead end.

I felt hopeless until I started taking down the picture frames off the wall. I reached for one above my dad's bed that was a beautiful picture of him holding me as a baby. It was taken by our neighbour, Linda, a few moths after I was born and I was snuggled up in layers of blankets. Apparently at the time, she was giving out to him for layering me in so many clothes as you could tell I was warm. But dad kept on telling her that the house was really cold and he didn't want me to get sick.

They would argue back and forward on who was right and who was wrong, but he'd hardly pay attention as he'd look down and see his little girl. He'd be grinning ear to ear like a maniac and even though Linda was pissed, she decided to take a picture. My dad loved it so much that the day after he had it framed and put over his bed.

I smiled at the picture as I was reminded of the fond story I was told. I proceeded to turn the frame over and was shocked to see a crumbled piece of paper in the corner. I snatched it from its place and opened it to see a location on it. It was in Chicago, Illinois and seemed to be around the same area as the Lakeside bar.

I looked at the paper for a minute before scanning the room that was full of the mess I'd made. I turn back to the frame and just thought about how easy it was to find it.

I let out a breathy laugh.

"Gosh even after your gone it still feels like your teasing me"

I snatch the wrinkly piece of paper and place it in my pocket before cleaning the room as quickly as I could. I then rushed to my car and drove to where the directions led.